Numbers in Tutonish
Numbers in Tutonish follow a decimal system with unique features blending English and Germanic influences. Spoken primarily in a constructed linguistic community, it has around a few hundred speakers. What makes its counting system distinctive is the combination of straightforward decimal formation with special suffixes for teens and large numbers. The language's numbers in Tutonish are built systematically, with clear rules for units, tens, hundreds, and large scales like millions and billions. This structure reflects its aim to unify Germanic roots with a logical, consistent pattern, making it both accessible and complex for learners and linguists alike.
Number system
Counting in Tutonish is primarily decimal. Digits 1-9 are unique words: ein [1], to [2], tri [3], fier [4], fem [5], seks [6], syv [7], ot [8], ni [9]. Tens are formed by suffixing 'ti' to the digit: ti [10], toti [20], triti [30], fierti [40], femti [50], seksti [60], syvti [70], otti [80], niti [90]. Numbers 11-19 are formed by combining 'ti' with the unit, with an apostrophe if the unit starts with a vowel: ti’ein [11], tito [12], titri [13], tifier [14], tifem [15], tiseks [16], tisyv [17], ti’ot [18], tini [19]. Compound numbers like 42 are formed by hyphenating tens and units: fierti-tri [43], syvti-to [72]. Hundreds are formed by placing the digit before 'hundr': ein hundr [100], tri hundr [300], ni hundr [900]. Thousands are built similarly with 'tusn': ein tusn [1,000], tri tusn [3,000], ni tusn [9,000]. Large numbers follow the short scale: million as einjon, billion as tojon, trillion as trijon, each prefixed by the root and scaled by powers of 1,000.
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Digits 1-9
Numbers 1-9 are unique words: ein [1], to [2], tri [3], fier [4], fem [5], seks [6], syv [7], ot [8], ni [9]. For example, 6 is seks, 9 is ni, and 3 is tri.
Tens formation
Tens are formed by suffixing 'ti' to the digit: ti [10], toti [20], triti [30], fierti [40], femti [50], seksti [60], syvti [70], otti [80], niti [90]. For example, 50 is femti, 70 is syvti, and 80 is otti.
Numbers 11-19
Numbers from eleven to nineteen are formed by combining 'ti' with the unit, with an apostrophe if the unit starts with a vowel: ti’ein [11], tito [12], titri [13], tifier [14], tifem [15], tiseks [16], tisyv [17], ti’ot [18], tini [19].
Compound numbers
Numbers like 23 or 78 are formed by hyphenating the tens and units: toti-tri [23], syvti-to [72]. For example, 42 is fierti-tri, and 78 is syvti-ot.
Hundreds
Hundreds are formed by placing the digit before 'hundr' with a space: ein hundr [100], tri hundr [300], ni hundr [900]. For example, 600 is seks hundr.
Thousands
Thousands are formed similarly with 'tusn': ein tusn [1,000], tri tusn [3,000], ni tusn [9,000].
Large numbers
Large numbers follow the short scale: einjon (million), tojon (billion), trijon (trillion), each formed by prefixing the root 'jon' with the scale of 1,000. For example, 1,000,000 is einjon, and 1,000,000,000 is tojon.
Unique features
The number 11 is ti’ein, combining 'ti' with 'ein' with an apostrophe, unlike many languages that use a simple suffix.
Unlike English, Tutonish forms large numbers by prefixing 'jon' to the scale, e.g., einjon for million, which is similar to some Germanic languages but with a unique construction.
The formation of teens (11-19) involves no separate words but combines 'ti' with the unit, with an apostrophe if starting with a vowel, e.g., ti’ot [18].
Large numbers follow the short scale, with each new term being a thousand times the previous, such as trijon for trillion, showing a systematic pattern.
The language borrows the root 'jon' for large numbers, reflecting a cultural emphasis on scale and magnitude.
Cultural context
Tutonish is a constructed language created in 1902, reflecting a unification of English and Germanic linguistic roots. Its speakers are enthusiasts, linguists, and conlang communities, primarily in academic and hobbyist circles. Numbers in Tutonish are used in theoretical contexts, language experiments, and cultural reconstructions. The system's logical structure makes it suitable for educational purposes, and its large number scale demonstrates a fascination with mathematical precision. While not tied to any specific cultural taboos, the language's systematic approach to large numbers emphasizes the importance of scale and magnitude in their conceptual worldview, possibly symbolizing progress and unity.
Fun facts
Fact 1: The number 15 is tifem, combining 'ti' and 'fem', showing the pattern of forming teens with 'ti' plus the unit.
Fact 2: Compared to English, Tutonish's formation of 20 as toti is similar to vigesimal systems but remains within a decimal framework.
Fact 3: The formation of large numbers like einjon (million) follows the short scale, similar to English but with a unique prefixing pattern.
Fact 4: Elias Molee, the creator, designed Tutonish to unify Germanic languages, and its number system reflects this goal through systematic patterns.
Fact 5: The language can express extremely large numbers, such as nijon (nonillion), by systematically scaling the root 'jon' with powers of 1,000.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Tutonish?
1 - ein, 2 - to, 3 - tri, 4 - fier, 5 - fem, 6 - seks, 7 - syv, 8 - ot, 9 - ni, 10 - ti.
What number base does Tutonish use?
Tutonish uses a decimal (base-10) system, as evidenced by the formation of tens (ti, toti, triti, etc.) and the structure of numbers like 20 (toti) and 100 (ein hundr).
How do you say 42 in Tutonish?
42 is fierti-tri, formed by combining the tens 'fierti' (40) with the units 'tri' (3) separated by a hyphen.
How do you say 100 in Tutonish?
100 is ein hundr, with 'ein' for 1 and 'hundr' for hundred, following the pattern of placing the digit before 'hundr'.
How many people speak Tutonish?
The exact number of speakers is unknown, but it is primarily used by conlang enthusiasts and linguistic hobbyists.
Is Tutonish related to other languages?
Tutonish is a constructed language inspired by Germanic roots, unifying elements of English and Germanic languages, but it is not directly related to any natural language family.
What makes Tutonish counting unique?
Its systematic formation of large numbers using the short scale with the 'jon' root, and the specific formation of teens with 'ti' plus units, with apostrophes for vowels, are distinctive features.
Sources
- Tutonish: or Anglo-German Union Tongue, by Elias Molee, Scroll Publishing Company, 1902